Zakaria Labyad celebrating with his hands cupped to his ears in Corinthians' white shirt

Made in Utrecht

Labyad.Nine clubs. Five countries. One number: 52.

From the pitches of USV Elinkwijk to the Corinthians stadium in São Paulo. This is the story of Zakaria Labyad: an artist with the ball, who started with number 52 and still wears that number today.

Explore the career
Clubs in 5 countries
9
League titles with Ajax
3
Age at his European debut
16

Utrecht, 9 March 1993. That is where Zakaria Labyad is born, and where he learns to play football at USV Elinkwijk. His technique soon stands out: in 2004 PSV brings him to Eindhoven. At sixteen he is on the pitch in the Europa League, with number 52 on his back. Then follows a journey few players make: Lisbon, Arnhem, London, his own Utrecht, Amsterdam, China and Brazil. With Ajax he becomes champion three times; with Morocco he plays at the Olympic Games. And in São Paulo he once again lines up alongside Memphis Depay, his teammate from Eindhoven. With number 52.

The career

Nine clubs. Five countries.

From Utrecht to Eindhoven, Lisbon, Arnhem, London, Amsterdam, China and São Paulo. Everywhere, Labyad showed the same qualities: technique, vision and the ability to make the difference. Click on a club for the full chapter.

Figures as of October 2026. For PSV, Vitesse and Fulham we count league matches; for the other clubs, all official matches. MysteryKitz is not affiliated with the clubs on this page.

Zakaria Labyad celebrates wearing number 52 in the white shirt of Corinthians

The number

Number 52. Then and now.

On 25 February 2010 a sixteen-year-old Labyad made his PSV debut, in the Europa League against Hamburger SV. On his back: number 52. Sixteen years, nine clubs and five countries later, he wears that same number at Corinthians in São Paulo. Alongside him plays Memphis Depay, with whom he won the KNVB Cup in 2012. The circle is complete.

Age at his debut
16
PSV – Hamburger SV, Europa League
2010
Number 52 again, in São Paulo
2026

At his debut, Eljero Elia was in the starting line-up for Hamburger SV.

Verified highlights

The moments that lasted.

From his debut at sixteen to his first goals in Brazil. Only facts we have checked in multiple sources.

Zakaria Labyad and Memphis Depay celebrate a goal together in the PSV shirt, 2011
PSV, 2011: Labyad and Memphis celebrate a goal together.

  1. 2010

    PSV

    Debut at sixteen

    On 25 February 2010 against Hamburger SV in the Europa League (3–2), wearing shirt number 52.

  2. 2011

    PSV

    On target within a minute

    In the Europa League quarter-final away at Benfica he came on as a substitute and scored a minute later. He was eighteen.

  3. 2012

    PSV

    KNVB Cup at De Kuip

    On 8 April 2012 PSV beat Heracles 3–0 in the final. Labyad started and provided an assist.

  4. 2012

    Morocco

    Olympic Games in London

    Wearing shirt number 7, he was part of the Moroccan squad at the Games.

  5. 2015

    Vitesse

    The European ticket

    In the deciding play-off match against Heerenveen (5–2) he provided an assist and scored himself.

  6. 2017

    FC Utrecht

    The header against Zenit

    On 17 August 2017 he headed in the 1–0 against Zenit Saint Petersburg in the 76th minute.

  7. 2017

    FC Utrecht

    Twice on target in Amsterdam

    On 5 November 2017 Utrecht won 1–2 away at Ajax. Labyad scored both goals.

  8. 2019

    Ajax

    The double

    League champion and KNVB Cup winner with Ajax. He came on as a substitute in the cup final against Willem II (0–4).

  9. 2020

    Ajax

    Volley into the top corner

    On 28 November 2020, away at FC Emmen (0–5), he volleyed a lofted pass from Davy Klaassen first time into the top corner.

  10. 2021

    Ajax

    Match-winner in Alkmaar

    In the KNVB Cup round of 16 on 20 January 2021, he scored the only goal away at AZ (0–1).

  11. 2024

    Yunnan Yukun

    Champion in China

    With Yunnan Yukun he won China League One and was promoted to the top division.

  12. 2026

    Corinthians

    On target in the Copa Libertadores

    On 21 May 2026, on his first start, he made it 1–1 away at Peñarol in Montevideo.

  13. 2026

    Corinthians

    The winner in the 87th minute

    Three days later his late goal sent Corinthians past Atlético Mineiro (1–0).

Did you know

Six facts. Pure class.

  • Debut against Eljero Elia

    He played his first match as a professional on 25 February 2010 against Hamburger SV. Eljero Elia was in the German side’s starting line-up.

  • On target within a minute

    On 7 April 2011, aged eighteen, he came on as a substitute in Benfica – PSV, in the Europa League quarter-final. A minute later he scored.

  • Olympian

    At the 2012 Olympic Games in London he played for Morocco, wearing shirt number 7.

  • Reunited with Memphis

    In 2012 they won the KNVB Cup together with PSV. Fourteen years later they are teammates at Corinthians, where Memphis recommended him.

  • Utrecht’s hero in Europe

    His winning header against Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2017 remained FC Utrecht’s last European victory for years.

  • Champion in China

    In 2024 he won the China League One title with Yunnan Yukun, earning the club promotion to the top division.

Good to know

What is the connection between Labyad, Memphis and Elia?

Labyad and Memphis Depay came through the PSV academy together and won the KNVB Cup together in 2012. Since 2026 they have been teammates again, at Corinthians in São Paulo. And at Labyad’s debut, in 2010 against Hamburger SV, Eljero Elia was in the starting line-up on the other side. Also read the story of Memphis and Eljero Elia.

Where does Zakaria Labyad play now?

At Corinthians in São Paulo, Brazil, wearing shirt number 52. In September 2026 he extended his contract until the end of 2027. Since the summer he has been working on his comeback.

Which country does he play for?

Labyad was born in Utrecht and chose Morocco at international level: he won six caps and played at the 2012 Olympic Games.

Where do the photos come from?

They are press photos from his career. One photo comes from Wikimedia Commons, under a free licence; the photographer and licence are listed at the bottom of this page.

Is MysteryKitz affiliated with these clubs?

No. MysteryKitz is independent and not affiliated with the clubs on this page, the KNVB or the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. Club names only describe Zakaria Labyad’s career.

Zakaria Labyad

His story. Your passion.

Explore the career

MysteryKitz is independent and not affiliated with the clubs on this page, the KNVB or the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. Club names only describe Zakaria Labyad’s career. The photos show his career.

Photo credits

The photos on this page are press photos from Zakaria Labyad’s career. The photo of Labyad and Memphis at PSV comes from Wikimedia Commons; we have cropped it.